Heavy traffic caused after car leaves carriageway on M4

There was heavy traffic after a car left the carriageway on the M4 near Bridgend on Thursday, January 18. One lane was closed on the M4 westbound and eastbound carriageways between Junction 36 (Sarn) and Junction 37 (Pyle). Traffic Wales first reported the incident in a post to X (formerly Twitter) at 4.01pm.

Traffic monitoring service Inrix described the incident as a "medical emergency". Emergency services were called to the scene. In an update just before 5pm, South Wales Police said: "Shortly after 3.30pm today, police were called following a single vehicle road traffic collision on the westbound carriageway of the M4 between junctions 36 and 37. A car has left the carriageway. Other emergency services are at the scene."

One person was extricated from the scene, said the South Wales Fire and Rescue Service. A spokesperson for the service said: "South Wales Fire and Rescue Service received the call at 3.32pm. We mobilised two fire engines, one rescue tender and two line rescue units. We attended the scene alongside police and ambulance. We left the scene at about 4.20pm." The spokesperson added: "One private motor vehicle left the roadway and we assisted with extricating one person."

At the height of the congestion, traffic data from Google Maps showed it stretched along the motorway from Stormy Down (near Junction 37) to Junction 36, and road cameras showed queues near Sarn West, Pyle and Court Colman Manor and Hotel. Traffic returned to normal at about 6.08pm. Join our WhatsApp news community here for the latest breaking news

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